HIT murder-mystery game show The Traitors is to get a star-studded spin-off featuring a line-up of huge celebrity fans.
Producers can cherry-pick from a massive pool of famous faces who love the BBC show.
And they will want to select those who will flourish at playing the treacherous game of whodunnit, which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman and set to reach its thrilling climax this Friday night.
Among the names likely to be a target are Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy, cheating former Health Secretary Matt Hancock and outspoken Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.
A TV insider said: “Bosses want big names as the show is getting big viewing figures, and they know they’ll have plenty to choose from as The Traitors has huge fans within the showbiz world.
“But they also want stars who are likely to be great game-players and who have great survival skills, the ability to double-cross or a way of sniffing out a back-stabber.
“Rumours of a celebrity series have naturally swirled since The Traitors launched in 2022 and the show became an instant hit — but they have been unfounded gossip until now.
“The BBC wanted to establish the ‘civilian’ version of the show before considering a celeb spin-off.
“The fact that the first two series have proved such a success has convinced them that now is the right time.
“They’re shooting for the stars too, because they don’t see why they can’t attract the same calibre of people that currently sign up for Strictly and I’m A Celebrity.”
The second series of The Traitors has been attracting nightly audiences of more than four million.
But the final figure has been far higher with catch-up viewings added to the mix.
The last series was watched more than 34 million times on BBC iPlayer.
After the debut series, which started in November 2022, the show and 52-year-old presenter Claudia won a string of awards throughout 2023 from the National Television Awards, Bafta and the Royal Television Society.
A third series is about to be filmed and could air later this year, or early next year.
But the celebrity version is not expected to air until 2025.
Bosses have also been buoyed by the reception to the US version of The Traitors, which features famous faces. The most recent series has included former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.
Other celebrities who have said they would like to take part include former I’m A Celebrity winner Scarlett Moffatt.
Claudia has previously said her wish-list would include TV host Victoria Coren Mitchell, actors Adam Woodyatt and Andrew Garfield and brainbox Stephen Fry.
The BBC declined to comment.
